The FTC filed its complaint against Cure Encapsulations last week, after finding that the company had paid for the fabricated reviews, which purported to be written by actual customers and which made “false and unsubstantiated claims” about its products. While the extract garcinia cambogia is often claimed to be effective for weight-loss, the National Institutes of Health has noted that there is “no convincing evidence” that it can help you lose weight.
Cure Encapsulations has already reached a settlement with the FTC in which the company has agreed to never again make “weight-loss, appetite-suppression, fat-blocking, or disease-treatment claims” for any product without substantiating those claims with “competent and reliable scientific evidence,” the FTC says. The settlement also prohibits the company from misrepresenting endorsements, including reviews that falsely claim to come from an actual customer.
“People rely on reviews when they’re shopping online,” Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement. “When a company buys fake reviews to inflate its Amazon ratings, it hurts both shoppers and companies that play by the rules.”
Correction: This article was revised to correct Cure Encapsulation’s location. The company is headquartered in New York.
If there’s one thing that’s been proven time and again, it’s that there is no magic pill for weight loss.
And yet, “quick fixes” keep popping up everywhere…and they’re usually pretty problematic (I see you, detox teas). Another example: garcinia cambogia extract—an ingredient most commonly found in weight-loss supplements.
Uh, what exactly is garcinia cambogia?
Garcinia cambogia—a.k.a. Malabar tamarind—is a fruit commonly grown in India and Southeast Asia, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). The rind of the fruit is often used to flavor curries and to preserve food.
That rind, however, also contains a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is where the plant’s weight-loss claims come into play—HCA has been studied for weight loss through appetite suppression, per the NCCIH (which is why supplements that contain garcinia cambogia extract are also thought to help you lose weight).
So…is it true? Can garcinia cambogia help you lose weight?
While, yes, there have been studies on garcinia cambogia and weight loss, they haven’t necessarily been reliable (nor are they recent, for that matter).
In a research review set to be published in 2019, researchers found that only five randomized, controlled studies of garcinia cambogia’s effect on weight loss have been done in the last 50 years, according to Scott Kahan, M.D., M.P.H., director of the National Center for Weight Wellness, who carried out the study. (FYI: there have been more than 14,000 studies on unfounded therapies for weight loss in that time, he says.)
What’s more: In those five studies, participants saw very little weight loss. “The most positive study showed that several months of taking garcinia cambogia may lead to one pound of weight loss, at best,” says Kahan—placebo pills were usually more effective.
Well, is garcinia cambogia harmful?
According to Kahan’s research, there are very few severe side effects of garcina cambogia (he only found a few examples of diarrhea, brain fog and, in rare cases, liver damage). And according to the NCCIH, garcinia cambogia is pretty safe for short-term use (12 weeks or fewer).
But while garcinia cambogia itself may not be terrible, the ingredients it comes packaged with in some weight-loss supplements can be.
In 2017, for example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the weight-loss supplement Fruta Planta Life, which is marketed as “Garcinia Cambogia Premium” and contains garcinia cambogia extract and sibutramine (Meridia), an appetite suppressant that was removed from the market in 2010 due to safety concerns. Sibutramine had been shown to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, cause jaundice, and trigger seizures—pretty nasty stuff.
Another thing to note: since garcinia cambogia extract diet pills are supplements, not drugs, the FDA doesn’t regulate their use or review their effectiveness or safety unless their use becomes linked to multiple hospitalizations, says Sue Decotiis, M.D., a medical weight-loss expert. That means that it’s up to manufacturers to decide how much garcinia cambogia extract their pills pack, as well as what other health-impacting ingredients (like sibutramine) are added to the mix.
I probably shouldn’t take garcinia cambogia…right?
Uh yeah, it’s best to skip it. Possible side effects aside, Kahan says any weight-loss supplement containing garcinia cambogia is a waste of money.
And honestly, that goes for weight-loss supplements in general. “Unlike medical therapies, supplements and various diets and practices are not bound by strict requirements for clinical evaluation and evidence,” says Kahan, adding that “it’s unlikely that all the advertised claims are true.”
Basically, diet supplements—including ones containing garcinia cambogia—aren’t worth the risk, or money. If you want to lose weight, speak to your doctor first, and focus on combining a healthy, balanced diet with regular exercise, suggests Kahan.
The bottom line: Don’t waste your money on any weight-loss supplements (including ones with garcinia cambogia). At best, they’re ineffective; at worst, they’re harmful.
If there’s one thing that’s been proven time and again, it’s that there is no magic pill for weight loss.
And yet, “quick fixes” keep popping up everywhere…and they’re usually pretty problematic (I see you, detox teas). Another example: garcinia cambogia extract—an ingredient most commonly found in weight-loss supplements.
Uh, what exactly is garcinia cambogia?
Garcinia cambogia—a.k.a. Malabar tamarind—is a fruit commonly grown in India and Southeast Asia, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). The rind of the fruit is often used to flavor curries and to preserve food.
That rind, however, also contains a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is where the plant’s weight-loss claims come into play—HCA has been studied for weight loss through appetite suppression, per the NCCIH (which is why supplements that contain garcinia cambogia extract are also thought to help you lose weight).
So…is it true? Can garcinia cambogia help you lose weight?
While, yes, there have been studies on garcinia cambogia and weight loss, they haven’t necessarily been reliable (nor are they recent, for that matter).
In a research review set to be published in 2019, researchers found that only five randomized, controlled studies of garcinia cambogia’s effect on weight loss have been done in the last 50 years, according to Scott Kahan, M.D., M.P.H., director of the National Center for Weight Wellness, who carried out the study. (FYI: there have been more than 14,000 studies on unfounded therapies for weight loss in that time, he says.)
What’s more: In those five studies, participants saw very little weight loss. “The most positive study showed that several months of taking garcinia cambogia may lead to one pound of weight loss, at best,” says Kahan—placebo pills were usually more effective.
Well, is garcinia cambogia harmful?
According to Kahan’s research, there are very few severe side effects of garcina cambogia (he only found a few examples of diarrhea, brain fog and, in rare cases, liver damage). And according to the NCCIH, garcinia cambogia is pretty safe for short-term use (12 weeks or fewer).
But while garcinia cambogia itself may not be terrible, the ingredients it comes packaged with in some weight-loss supplements can be.
In 2017, for example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the weight-loss supplement Fruta Planta Life, which is marketed as “Garcinia Cambogia Premium” and contains garcinia cambogia extract and sibutramine (Meridia), an appetite suppressant that was removed from the market in 2010 due to safety concerns. Sibutramine had been shown to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, cause jaundice, and trigger seizures—pretty nasty stuff.
Another thing to note: since garcinia cambogia extract diet pills are supplements, not drugs, the FDA doesn’t regulate their use or review their effectiveness or safety unless their use becomes linked to multiple hospitalizations, says Sue Decotiis, M.D., a medical weight-loss expert. That means that it’s up to manufacturers to decide how much garcinia cambogia extract their pills pack, as well as what other health-impacting ingredients (like sibutramine) are added to the mix.
I probably shouldn’t take garcinia cambogia…right?
Uh yeah, it’s best to skip it. Possible side effects aside, Kahan says any weight-loss supplement containing garcinia cambogia is a waste of money.
And honestly, that goes for weight-loss supplements in general. “Unlike medical therapies, supplements and various diets and practices are not bound by strict requirements for clinical evaluation and evidence,” says Kahan, adding that “it’s unlikely that all the advertised claims are true.”
Basically, diet supplements—including ones containing garcinia cambogia—aren’t worth the risk, or money. If you want to lose weight, speak to your doctor first, and focus on combining a healthy, balanced diet with regular exercise, suggests Kahan.
The bottom line: Don’t waste your money on any weight-loss supplements (including ones with garcinia cambogia). At best, they’re ineffective; at worst, they’re harmful.
In-depth analysis of Garcinia Cambogia Extract market research report offers an forecast period 2019–2025, detail study on market trends and the present-future market state of the Garcinia Cambogia Extract market across the globe with valuable facts and figures. Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market also provides data concerning the rising opportunities within the Garcinia Cambogia Extract market, Trends technologies that may boost these growth trends. Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market report contains a comprehensive summary of Garcinia Cambogia Extract together with definitions, Scope, Application, Production, varieties and CAGR Comparison, Segmentation by Share, Revenue standing and Outlook, Capacity, Consumption, Market Drivers, Production status and Outlook and Opportunities, Export, Import, rising Markets rate of growth.
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current situation and future growth prospects of the Garcinia Cambogia Extract industry for 2019-2025. The Report Consider the revenue generated from global sales which helps to calculate market size and report mainly focus on market influencing factors of the Garcinia Cambogia Extract in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East Africa.
Market Top Manufacturers Report Cover:
Xi’an Lyphar Biotech
Shaanxi Fuheng (FH) Biotechnology
Shaanxi Guanjie Technology
Wuhan Vanz Pharm
Hunan Kanerga Pharmaceutical Sales
TWO BLUE DIAMONDS
MARUTI FUTURISTIC PHARMA
KINAL GLOBAL CARE
NUTRA GRACE
Table of content Covered in Garcinia Cambogia Extract research report:
1 Industry Overview
1.1 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Overview
1.2 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Size and Analysis by Regions (2013-2019)
1.3 Classification of Garcinia Cambogia Extract by Product
1.4 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market by End Users/Application
2 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Competition Analysis by Players
2.1 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Size (Million USD) by Players (2013-2019)
2.2 Competitive Status
3 Company (Top Players) Profiles and Key Data
4 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Size by Product and Application (2013-2019)
4.1 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Size by Product (2013-2019)
4.2 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Size by Application (2013-2019)
4.3 Potential Application of Garcinia Cambogia Extract in Future
4.4 Top Consumer / End Users of Garcinia Cambogia Extract
5. Other regionals Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Size by Product and Application (2013-2019)
6 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Forecast by Regions, Product and Application (2019-2025)
6.1 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Size (Million USD) by Regions (2019-2025)
6.2 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Size by Application (2019-2025)
6.3 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Size by Product (2019-2025)
7 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Dynamics
7.1 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Opportunities
7.2 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Challenge and Risk
7.2.1 Competition from Opponents
7.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy
7.3 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Constraints and Thread
7.4 Global Garcinia Cambogia Extract Market Driving Force
In the end, report provides the Complete study of every segment like market share by companies, present status, future forecast, research methodology, market size estimation, growth opportunities, and key manufacturers and market effect factors. Also report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies.
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Most designers and photographers spend many hours in Photoshop, whether it be for designing or editing photos. In your client projects, you may receive photos that need to be touched up, or you may be a photographer yourself.
Photoshop brings endless potential for photo editing, and one of the best ways to make use of Photoshop’s capabilities is to use actions. Photoshop actions are useful for quickly completing repetitive tasks, like performing the same steps to achieve a specific type of photo effect.
There are countless actions available that can be purchased or downloaded for free, but finding the best quality free actions can take quite some time. With that in mind, this post showcases 50 different actions and action sets that are available for free. The actions showcased here will allow you to create all kinds of different types of effects for your photos from matte and film looks, to vintage effects, to stunning black & white conversions, and even HDR. With these actions in your arsenal, you will be able to save time while editing photos, and you also will not need to scour the web to find quality free actions.
Browse through this collection, find the ones that suit your needs, and try them with your own photos. You’ll find that you are able to create some really amazing effects in very little time with the help of the right actions.
How to Install & Use Photoshop Actions
Photoshop actions will help you transform your photos into works of art and save you time during your editing workflow. They will also help you achieve a consistent look easily instead of trying to remember all the adjustments and filters you used. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to install and use Photoshop actions:
Download and unzip the action file
Launch Photoshop
Go to Window > Actions
Select Load Actions from the menu and go to the folder where you saved the unzipped action file to select it. The Action will now be installed
To use the newly installed action, locate it in the Action panel
Click the triangle to the left of the action name to see the list of available actions.
Click the action you want to play and press the play button at the bottom of the Actions panel
This action adds a vintage retro animated look and feel to your photos. It can also be applied to videos and includes 24 different colors which are applied non-destructively.
Apply the faded look similar to Instagram filters with this collection 75 retro and film effects for Adobe Photoshop. Actions are easy to use and customize.
This pack of Photoshop actions contains 10 different actions that will make your photos appear more retro and vintage. The actions mimic Instagram filters.
This Photoshop action makes use of various brushes, filters, and effects to create a vintage art look. It works well with action photos and supports Photoshop CS3 and higher.
This collection of Photoshop actions will make any photo appear aged and give it that old-time look and feel. Includes several colorized effects and a subtle light leak effect.
Apply a nice vintage look to your photos with the help of Photoshop and this beautiful set of Photoshop actions. The actions work with Photoshop CC versions.
Wedding photographers rejoice as this free Photoshop action will allow you to add a vintage effect to your wedding photos. The collection comes with a total of 15 individual actions.
This Photoshop action, called Warm Cinema, will give a warm and cinematic look to your photos. A part of a larger collection, this action speeds up your workflow considerably.
Try this Photoshop action if you want your photos to have a cinematic look and feel. This collection is perfect for bloggers, wedding, and portrait photographers.
Create a striking effect with your photos, text and other graphic designs thanks to this collection of beautiful and bold double color exposure actions. The collection includes 7 different color styles.
This Photoshop action is bound to make your photos stand out as it adds a subtle touch of crimson to any photo. The action is easy to adjust and apply.
Add pops of neon coloring to any photo with this Color Fusion Photoshop action from Envato Elements. The action is applied non-destructively and can be adjusted to your liking.
With this action for Photoshop, you will be able to apply a dark and somewhat haunted look to your photos. A great choice to help you create dark, moody look and feel.
If you want to apply a soft, almost pastel-like look to your photos, this collection of Photoshop actions is a must. The action works best for portrait and outdoors photos.
The Silver Photoshop action will transform your colorized photos into black and white. This effect works well with a variety of photos and is applied non-destructively.
Add an instant autumn glow to any photo by using this free Photoshop action. The action works non-destructively and works best with landscape and nature photos.
Tiny planets are all the rage but creating them from scratch is not so easy. This Photoshop action will change that and allow you to transform any photo into your very own tiny planet.
Make your photos appear more dynamic with these Photoshop actions that come as a part of your Envato Elements subscription. The action works with Photoshop CC.
This Photoshop action allows you to quickly and non-destructively apply a fun glitch effect to your photos. The actions are easy to use and include video instructions.
Similarly to the action above, this Photoshop action collection will pixelate your photos. Perfect for creating unique backgrounds. The collection also includes frame and border styles.
Try this Photoshop action if you want to produce a cool-looking dispersion effect. Make any photo appear as if though it’s dispersing. Play the action and make adjustments as necessary.
Turn any photo into a comic poster by using the Comic Poster Photoshop action. The action works in Photoshop CS3 and newer as well as Photoshop CC editions.
Add an interesting effect to your portraits and make them appear as if though they are disintegrating into a giant firestorm. The action works in Photoshop CS4 and newer versions.
This free Photoshop action will add a subtle glitch effect to your photos, making them mimic the look of old VHS tapes. The action works non-destructively and you can make adjustments.
With this pack of Photoshop actions, you can easily recreate the double exposure effect without starting from scratch. The pack is compatible with Photoshop CS3 and newer versions.
Add a strong and bold HDR effect to your photos with the help of the HDR Photoshop action. The pack contains a non-destructive action so you can safely revert back if needed.
Try this Photoshop action if you want to add a sharp look to your photos. The action supports Photoshop CS4 and newer versions and is applied non-destructively.
Use this Photoshop action to open up the dynamic range of your photo and apply a beautiful and bold effect. The action works with both Photoshop and Lightroom.
This set of 18 different Photoshop actions will allow you to easily reproduce an HDR effect on any of your photos. The pack supports non-destructive editing.
This beautiful Photoshop action will apply a stunning HDR effect to your photos. It works well with all kinds of photos, especially nature and outdoors photography.
This set of Photoshop actions will allow you to turn your photos into black and white works of art. There are several actions included which allow you to turn photos more white, more black, give them a more faded look, and more.
This collection of Photoshop actions contains a total of 31 actions which are applied non-destructively and work exceptionally well with portrait photography.
Bold Black & White Photoshop Action (Free)
Turn photos to black and white and preserve those deep blacks with the help of this Photoshop action. The action works with Photoshop CS3 and newer.
If you want to apply high contrast to your photos and turn them to black and white, don’t miss out on this Photoshop action. It works with both Photoshop and Lightroom.
Apply a matte effect easily to your photos with the help of this Matte Photoshop action. The action is free and works both with Lightroom and Photoshop.
If you’re a blogger and want to make your photos have a matte look, try this Photoshop action. A great choice for fashion, travel, and lifestyle bloggers.
With the help of this free Photoshop action, you will be able to quickly and easily apply a subtle matte effect to your photos. The action comes as a Photoshop action and Lightroom preset.
This action will apply a warm matte look to your photos, making them appear retro and vintage. It works well with portraits, as well as landscape and nature photos.
This set of matte actions will not only add a matte effect but it will also fade out colors and produce an interesting effect. This action is perfect for nature and landscape photos.
Add a light and bright light leak to any photo with the help of the Photoshop actions in this pack. The action creates layers and supports non-destructive editing.
This Light Leaks bundle from Envato Elements contains 32 actions that will add various light leak effects to your photos. The collection works well with landscapes with bright scenes and even portraits.
Add a touch of class to your portraits with the help of this Photoshop action. The action contains 5 different effects and 2 light leaks that can be combined for a unique look.
Use this Photoshop action whenever you need to make a photo look like it was taken during the golden hour. It works well with cityscapes and nature photos.
This Golden Glow action will lighten up the photo and give it a golden tint. Use it with landscape and nature photos and don’t be afraid to experiment with other types of photos as well.
Make your photos appear sketched with the use of this Pencil Drawing Photoshop action. The action works non-destructively and produces a black and white sketch.
This Photoshop action will turn any photo into a realistic black and white sketch. The set contains 15 unique actions which are applied non-destructively.
Another set of sketching Photoshop actions that can be applied non-destructively and adjusted to your liking. This set is free for personal and commercial use.
Apply a lomo effect to your photos and make them appear as if though they were taken with a lomography camera. The action produces a fun vintage effect.
With the help of these 10 Photoshop actions, you’ll quickly make your photos appear vintage. This set of actions is compatible with Photoshop CS4 and newer.
The Lomo-Inspired Photoshop action applies a retro effect that works well with a wide variety of photos. It’s a great way to add a fun, toy camera effect.
Finished
You’re a creative talent. The last thing you probably want is to be stuck performing the same task a hundred times on different images. These Photoshop Actions are for you. With Photoshop Actions, a set of otherwise repetitive tasks can be applied automatically, freeing you up for the real work: being creative.
Fake reviews for items on sites like Amazon are a nuisance at best and downright dangerous at worst.
Despite efforts to tackle the issue, it’s still a big problem for online shopping sites, so it comes as a surprise to learn that this week the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) achieved only its first settlement in proceedings that challenged a merchant’s use of fake, paid-for reviews.
The FTC targeted Cure Encapsulations, Inc. in a case that accused it of paying a third-party website to write and post fake Amazon reviews for its garcinia cambogia weight-loss supplement, and of making unsubstantiated claims for the product.
According to the FTC, the company advertised and sold “Quality Encapsulations Garcinia Cambogia Extract with HCA” capsules on Amazon.com as an appetite-suppressing, fat-blocking, weight-loss pill.
Supplements using garcinia cambogia have been at the center of much debate over the years, with many experts questioning the safety and effectiveness of the fruit extract for the purposes of weight loss.
The FTC said the company paid a website called amazonverifiedreviews.com to write and post reviews of the weight-loss product for its Amazon listing, and also claimed that it asked the reviewers to ensure it maintained a rating of at least 4.3 stars out of a maximum 5.
The reviews, as well as information displayed on the supplement’s product page on Amazon, were described as making “false and unsubstantiated claims,” for example, that the product “literally BLOCKS FAT From Forming.”
Settling the case this week, the FTC imposed a fine of $12.8 million, with $50,000 due immediately and the rest suspended upon specific conditions.
In addition, Cure Encapsulations has been ordered to contact customers who bought the supplement, and to inform Amazon that it used fake, paid-for reviews.
The company has also been banned from making the same or similar products unless it has “competent and reliable scientific evidence” of their effectiveness in the form of human clinical testing.
“People rely on reviews when they’re shopping online,” Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a release. “When a company buys fake reviews to inflate its Amazon ratings, it hurts both shoppers and companies that play by the rules.”
Whether the FTC’s recent action marks the start of a more concerted effort to tackle the issue of fake, paid-for reviews remains to be seen.
The company told Digital Trends it welcomes the FTC’s work in this area, adding, “Amazon invests significant resources to protect the integrity of reviews in our store because we know customers value the insights and experiences shared by fellow shoppers.”
It said it has “clear participation guidelines for both reviewers and selling partners,” and, when necessary, acts against those who violate its policies.
Not sure if that super-positive Amazon review for an item you’re interested in is fake? Then follow Digital Trends’ top tips to find out.
Updated on February 28, 2019: Added statement from Amazon.
In the first case of its kind, the Federal Trade Commission took action against a diet pill seller for both making false claims and paying to juice their standing on Amazon with fake positive reviews.
The fruit of garcinia cambogia has been hailed by some as a powerful weight loss supplement. Of course, there’s no conclusive scientific evidence to support this—although there is some indication that in rare cases it may lead to liver failure, which led the FDA to issue a notice about a product containing the active ingredient—which is why most purveyors of junk diet pills tend to make their efficacy claims vague. Cure Encapsulations, which the FTC ruled against yesterday, had no such modesty, instead stating that the extract in question “Literally BLOCKS FAT From Forming.”
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What differentiates this from every other fake weight loss panacea fiasco is that Naftula Jacobowitz, the owner/operator of Cure Encapsulations, “paid a website, amazonverifiedreviews.com, to create and post Amazon reviews of their product,” according to the FTC—demanding his products retain an average rating of 4.3 stars. As the world’s largest ecommerce marketplace, Amazon has become ground zero for cutthroat tactics in achieving greater product visibility—among which fake reviews are a well-worn method. According to one Pew Research study, the majority of Americans sometimes check online reviews, though only around half believe they’re trustworthy.
Unsurprisingly, Jacobowitz was previously sued by another Amazon seller in 2016 for, among other things submitting “false negative feedback and/or other false complaints to Amazon.com,” which the plaintiff claimed caused her to lose the coveted Amazon ‘Buy Box,’ a piece of screen real estate associated with higher sales. (The case was settled via permanent injunction in September of 2016.)
Amazon itself has taken legal action over the years on multiple occasions against entities abusing its review system, but this case marks the first time the FTC has involved itself in these matters. “We welcome the FTC’s work in this area. Amazon invests significant resources to protect the integrity of reviews in our store because we know customers value the insights and experiences shared by fellow shoppers,” an Amazon spokesperson told Gizmodo. “Even one inauthentic review is one too many.”
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Recommended in the ruling, and pending judgment in New York’s Eastern District Court, are a variety of stipulations against Jacobowitz’s Cure Encapsulations. His company would be required to notify prior customers of the claims against it and identify the paid reviews for Amazon. The company would also no longer be able to make “weight-loss, appetite-suppression, fat-blocking, or disease-treatment claims” about products without “reliable scientific evidence in the form of human clinical testing,” and face a largely suspended fine of $12.8 million.
The FTC has successfully brought the first-ever case against a supplement company that allegedly boosted its Amazon ratings through a third-party firm that crafts fake “verified” reviews.
According to the settlement, Cure Encapsulations sold a supplement on Amazon touted as an “appetite-suppressing, fat-blocking, weight-loss pill.”
One of the ingredients in the supplement is an Indonesian plant called garcinia cambogia that has been linked to acute liver failure.
“People rely on reviews when they’re shopping online. When a company buys fake reviews to inflate its Amazon ratings, it hurts both shoppers and companies that play by the rules,” said Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a statement.
The FTC claims the company’s founder turned to amazonverifiedreviews.com — one of the hundreds of websites that writes fake five-star reviews for a fee.
Cure Encapsulations must now inform Amazon that it paid for reviews and must notify all customers who purchased the so-called weight-loss supplement.
The FTC is imposing a $12.8-million fine, with only $50,000 due and the remainder used as a way to enforce the judgement.
WATCH: Tips from a marketing expert about how to spot fake reviews
Research shows that 91 per cent of consumers rely on online reviews for their purchases, and it takes about 10 reviews before a consumer can start trusting a business or product.
But a lot of those reviews are unreliable, and experts say it can put consumers at risk.
Fakespot, a website that identifies fake reviews, estimates 30 per cent of product reviews on Amazon are inauthentic.
Recognizing this is a widespread problem, Amazon has taken the matter into its own hands. As an Amazon spokesperson told TechCrunch, the company has filed suits against more than 1,000 defendants for “review abuse” since 2015. They’ve also sued the third-party sites that write them.
[Update 2/27/19 8:05pm: An Amazon spokesperson gave us the following statement:
“We welcome the FTC’s work in this area. Amazon invests significant resources to protect the integrity of reviews in our store because we know customers value the insights and experiences shared by fellow shoppers. Even one inauthentic review is one too many. We have clear participation guidelines for both reviewers and selling partners and we suspend, ban, and take legal action on those who violate our policies.”]
In the first ever case of its kind, the Federal Trade Commission just reached a settlement that includes a $12.8 million fine against an herbal supplement company that paid for fake five-star reviews to boost its Amazon sales.
The fraudulent company, Cure Encapsulations, contacted a site that churns out fake reviews — amazonverifiedreviews.com (now taken down) — and told them, ““Please make my product … stay a five star.” They then paid the sleazy site “$1,000 for 30 reviews in order to bump the product’s ratings,” according to Mashable.
Along with the falsified reviews purporting to be from actual customers, the FTC also alleged that the company made “false and unsubstantiated claims” for the pills known as Quality Encapsulations Garcinia Cambogia.
Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit found in Indonesia that has been used as a natural aid for weight loss. As The Verge points out, use of the herbal supplement has associated with acute liver failure.
“People rely on reviews when they’re shopping online,” said director of the commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Andrew Smith in a statement. “When a company buys fake reviews to inflate its Amazon ratings, it hurts both shoppers and companies that play by the rules.”
Along with the hefty fine, Cure Encapsulations is also banned “from making weight-loss, appetite-suppression, fat-blocking, or disease-treatment claims for any dietary supplement, food, or drug unless they have competent and reliable scientific evidence in the form of human clinical testing supporting the claims,” according to the FTC.
You mean they’re still allowed to run a business? Buyers beware!
Could the next fad to weight management help or hurt you?
For the last couple of years, Garcinia Cambogia has been making headlines with its appeal to the mass consumer, promising proper help with weight control and management. Stars like the Kardashians have mentioned trying or using it, and it’s been featured in tabloids left and right.
But with all the fame and popularity, is it safe to use? We spoke with various medical professionals and nutritionists all about this miracle product, and if it could be a right tool for you to use.
Garcinia Cambogia is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia and India that’s typically used in traditional cooking to the region (think curries and chutneys). Throughout history, it’s also been used in Ayurveda medicine to help activate digestion and support a normal appetite in the regions they grow.
But in more recent years, Dr. Saman Faramarzi, ND, a Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of SAFA Wellness, explains, “Garcinia Cambogia extract has been popularized as a miracle weight loss drug. However, just as there are no shortcuts to achievingany goals, there is no such thing as a miracle weight loss drug.”
But there are a few benefits to Garcinia Cambogia.
1. It supresses appetite.
“Garcinia Cambogia is known to suppress your appetite and make you feel full,” says Nate Masterson, head of natural product development for Maple Holistics. “This is due to the fact that the active ingredient, hydroxycitric acid, increases serotonin in the brain, which is the hormone associated with appetite control.”
2. It maintains the body’s blood sugar.
“The key active ingredient in Garcinia Cambogia thought to help with weight loss is hydroxycitric acid (HCA). However, modern studies have been mixed. Some studies show that it helps stabilize blood sugar levels by improving insulin resistance, and some also show that it helps improve cholesterol levels,” says Dr. Faramarzi.
While it’s hard for us to mentally wrap our minds around what unstabailized blood sugar looks like, we spoke to Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and expert on low-sugar diets, about how these effects can change our bodies and how Garcinia can help.
“Regulating bloog sugar levels is particularly helpful for those suffering from diabetes, but it can also help with other conditions. For example, if you regularly experience mid-afternoon crashes in your energy levels, or wake up at 3 AM with low blood sugar, Garcinia could prevent this from happening.
Another area where more stable blood sugar levels can help is with gut imbalances. Conditions like Candida and SIBO often have high blood sugar as one of their major causes. Garcinia can stabilize your blood glucose and, when used with a healthy low-sugar diet, deprive those pathogenic microorganisms of at least some of the sugar they need to thrive,” Richards advises.
But you also need to beware of the side effects of using this product. According to Dr. Faramarzi, the negatives may outweigh the benefits.
“Because there are concerns about side effects — including liver damage, fatigue, dizziness, and digestive issues — I recommend that you consult your medical professional, whether it’s your primary care physician or a naturopathic doctor. When choosing Garcinia Cambogia extract to purchase, it’s important to find ones that are not mixed with any other ‘weight loss’ supplement.
I recommend BareOrganics Garcinia Cambogia extract as it’s pure, raw, and organic. It’s also sustainability and responsibility sourced, USDA organic, and non-GMO, which is very important when you’re looking for any superfruits, adaptogens, and herbs to add to your lifestyle.”
As we said early, there’s no such thing as a miracle pill. It takes time and effort to get the body in a healthy and proper state.
Dr. Faramarzi reccommends to those looking to Garcinia Cambogia to help manage their weight, “incorporating it into a healthy lifestyle that’s complete with exercise and a nurtitional diet that’s low in carbs and animal products, and high in proteins and healthy fats.”
Elizabeth Blasi is a New Yorker. A lifestyle travel writer, who is often seen with a suitcase in hand, jetsetting to her next location. But as a true Digital Nomad, her love of writing and romance novels means her laptop is always beside her.
